Amp or preamp for best impact

larry777

I have a Sansui AU-717 Integrated Amplifer that can be used as a seperate Amp or Preamp for 2 channel stereo. I was thinking about trying it in one of these configurations to see how it would sound. What would give the best results.....adding a Preamp or Power Amp ? Lets say a used preamp in the range of $500-$800 or a used amp in the $1000 range. If I started with the one piece I could always add the other later and use the Sansui in another room ( As it still sounds great ) I always wondered what seperates would be like.

chumlie

I would get the amp first.

falconcry72

larry777 wrote: »

I have a Sansui AU-717 Integrated Amplifer that can be used as a seperate Amp or Preamp for 2 channel stereo. I was thinking about trying it in one of these configurations to see how it would sound. What would give the best results.....adding a Preamp or Power Amp ? Lets say a used preamp in the range of $500-$800 or a used amp in the $1000 range. If I started with the one piece I could always add the other later and use the Sansui in another room ( As it still sounds great ) I always wondered what seperates would be like.

Good question! Won't know til ya try it.

What speakers will you be using, the Energy RC70's? I looked'em up, and, given the number of drivers, and the fact that they dip down to 4 ohms, I'd say they want some power! Lots of great choices for used power amps in the 1k range... even less. Parasound, Adcom, B&K, Rotel, Bryston, Krell, Classe, all have offerings in your range and less.

larry777

Yes I will be using the Energy RC-70's. I only play them up to moderate volume but a power amp will still likely make a difference. I was thinking about Bryston,McCormack ,Classe range of amps or something similar.

larry777

Any other comments would be great. Would anybody like to share their experience upgrading one piece at a time ?

tonyb

That sansui 717 is a nice piece, give me a yell if ya ever want to give it up. As far as pre amp goes, gonna be hard in that price range to beat the Dared 2000a at 460 bucks. The amp section in that sansui is no slouch, but I'd look for a used B&K, Parasound, Belles, and a few others that can be had for under 5 bones.

After that...a speaker up grade for 2 channel would be on the list.

rvito

I would go the amp route first. For a grand you have alot of choices.........

kidglove13

This is what I have done so far in my journey.

Started with an old HK AVR25 and my mirage fxr7 speakers

Added a Adcom 545 amp and used the HK as a pramp modified the mirage speakers abit

Upgraded my speakers from the mirages to a set of SDA 1B's

Then got rid of the HK AVR as the preamp and pickup up a tube preamp/dac

Then replaced the Adcom 545 with a Adcom 545 II that has been completely rebuilt with all new caps etc.

That is all thus far

I would start with a decent amp and go from there

Timothy Smith

I would recommend first trying a tube preamp (see if you can borrow one) into the Sansui using it's SS amp section.

If you like the tube sound, and maybe spend some time playing with different tubes, you can then sell the Sansui integrated and buy a tube power amp or higher power SS power amp.

cubdog

Your Sansui is a very good vintage integrated. If you want to get into seperates I would sell the 717 and start fresh. Otherwise I would probably try a tube pre with it. I did try a Yaqin MS-12B with my AU517 and it sounded nice but not all that different from the 517 by itself.

cubdog

lanchile

The Sansui AU-717 Integrated Amplifier is a very nice piece! just a re-cap and some bias and dc offset adjustments and it will be a killer integrated amp. other way if you want to get a new amp....I would go for a Bryston!!!

mesquitehead

Carver C-1 preamp! look it up.

Doc99

I find the Power amp makes the bigger difference.

mister pig

Personally I would get an amp, and pair it up with a good passive pre-amp. I like the Electra Print PVA myself, but the Luminous Audio Axiom pre is a great inexpensive alternative. Sell the Sansui to pay for the passive pre.

Regards
Mister Pig

trans am

mister pig wrote: »

Personally I would get an amp, and pair it up with a good passive pre-amp. I like the Electra Print PVA myself, but the Luminous Audio Axiom pre is a great inexpensive alternative. Sell the Sansui to pay for the passive pre.

Regards
Mister Pig

hey man how would that axiom compare to a adcom gfp-500II? I am running a 2 channel setup with phono, cd. it looks awesome.

gudnoyez

Classic Sansui gear the AU series is good stuff lots of people swear by them, I'am with Tonyb, if you ever decide to part ways with that 717 i'am interested, only if Tony passes on it.

classic carl

larry777 wrote: »

Any other comments would be great. Would anybody like to share their experience upgrading one piece at a time ?

I have a Pioneer SA-9100 integrated that I once used in my main system. When I first tried seperates, I used the Pioneer as a preamp and bought a Crown DC-300A. It was a nice combination. I agree that the only way to know is to try your Sansui and give it a listen. I've used the Pioneer as a power amp also. The Pioneer is presently in my secondary system and I'm using it as an integrated. I still have the Crown also. I'm using that in my living room system...what a beast.

edwardm10

+ 1 on the amp choice

gigbyt

go with amp first, the journey is a fun one though.

gigbyt

If only i new then what i know now,LOL.